UCL to celebrate legacy of 'the father' of British science journalism

1 February 2006

JG Crowther, Britain 's very first official science correspondent,
is the subject of a one-day symposium at University College London
(UCL) on Friday 17 June, that will bring together scientists and
Crowther experts from around Europe to explore his rich legacy.

It was in the 1920s that JG Crowther started a new journalistic 'beat' by persuading the Manchester Guardian that science deserved its
own correspondent. Firmly committed to what is now called 'public
understanding of science', Crowther - appalled by the 'mad scientists'
of popular fiction and film - wanted to give the public a clear window
into the scientific enterprise.

Crowther's 50-year career in journalism included long relationships
with Nature and New Scientist as well as the Guardian, and his many
popular books brought new developments in science and technology and
their social and political significance to a wide readership. Crowther
was also one of the founding fathers of the Association of British
Science Writers, and was one of the four people present at the ABSW's
inaugural meeting in 1947.

He admired the Soviet system of planning for science and technology,
and believed that strong relations between science and the wider
society were vital for the welfare and prosperity of the nation. During
World War II, as Director of Science for the British Council, he
furthered international links between scientists, which he thought
could be a model for peace and cooperation between nations.

Crowther continued his work in journalism and popular books into the
1970s, and became a key figure in debates about science and society.
Now historians of science are exploring how Crowther, who abandoned his
own scientific education before graduating, became a powerful and
lasting influence in the scientific community.

Dr Jane Gregory, of the UCL Department of Science & Technology
Studies, said: "The media provide an important and lively forum for the
discussion of scientific issues in the UK . JG Crowther can take a lot
of the credit for making that possible. By recognising that, and
understanding how he did it, we can learn a lot about science and
society in Britain ."

Notes for Editors

1. For more information on the symposium, or if you wish to attend, please contact Jane Gregory on 020 7679 2094.

2. For a photo of JG Crowther, please contact Dominique Fourniol in the UCL media relations office on 020 7679 9728 or d.fourniol@ucl.ac.uk.